Thanks for the quick responses, I got some thinking to do... I have a 4 wt sage ~ 20 years old now. That is my go to rod, for most things trout. I also have a 8wt sage for steelheadin, and a 10 wt loomis for the salt. A lot to choose from. Reason being, I am planing a trip out west this summer, to flyfish with a good friend. And with the wind from what I heard, could be too much for the 4 wt. I am not exactly sure yet where we are going exactly, still in choosing mode. That will have to be posted on another thread. By the way, I never heard of a Winston rod for that kind of money.... wow

Something that would help folks advise on the best rod, for you, would be exactly which 4wt you're fishin' now, and maybe that 8wt too. If you like the way they cast or maybe itchin' for something different, that'll help steer the options for you. Otherwise, there's a boatload of 'best' 5wts out there in your budget....

And to toss a wrench into the mix, since you already have a four, maybe consider a 6wt instead of a 5 and broaden your covered niches. I've battled the wind out there with a 5wt, tossin' foam hoppers and such. It was manageable but when I go back there'll definitely be a 6wt in the tube.

Agreed. Heading west and windy condition with big flies....6wt would be my choice. I'll bet you can pick up a Sage RPL+ used and in good shape under your budget limit. If that's the 4wt you have and love it, the 6wt should be just about the same feel / performance. You can find other used model (high end but a few years old) for good prices if you keep your eyes open.

Agreed. Heading west and windy condition with big flies....6wt would be my choice. I'll bet you can pick up a Sage RPL+ used and in good shape under your budget limit. If that's the 4wt you have and love it, the 6wt should be just about the same feel / performance. You can find other used model (high end but a few years old) for good prices if you keep your eyes open.

Krayfish, I have been talking back and forth with my buddy and I would like to fish the snake river... But still undecided. I do have a sage 490 rpl 4 wt. I did really think about a 6 wt. But most likley wouldn't use it much after the trip out west, except for bass mostly. But the plan is to throw big dries, I do like medium to fast action rods though for thr most part. I really do mostly nymph fishing, with a lot of high sticking drifts. So weight might be a factor. I will only fish dries if the hatch is really ON. Thanks for all the great info all you guys provided ! Still undecided so far... Many Thanks, Don

If it's something you probably won't use after the trip, here ya go.....

Redington Pursuit 9' 6wt. Cabelas has them for $70 in the cave right now. Sierra trading post has the combo for $126 which includes a Rio Mainstream line. You could get a 6wt and 7wt set up for around what you wanted to spend. You then have an excuse to try tossing big streamer for trout, smallmouth, carp, light saltwater, steelhead, Lehigh or Delaware rivers. Did that fix it or create more problems. LMAO